Convicted Cantonment Felon Sentenced On Federal Armed Drug Distribution Charges

December 17, 2025

A convicted Escambia County felon has been sentenced to federal prison on  armed drug distribution charges.

Carlton DeWight Shoemaker, age 51 of Carver Street, previously pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

He was sentenced to 106 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Kent Wetherell II. He had faced up to life in prison.

Using an FDLE documented criminal informant, ATF purchased crack cocaine and methamphetamine on two occasions from Shoemaker in a hotel room , according to federal court documents, and a semi-automatic handgun was presented in the room.

When a search warrant was later served, investigators reported finding 4.5 grams of crack cocaine, 9.5 grams of powder cocaine, three ounces of marijuana pre-packaged for sale, drug paraphernalia, and two firearms with ammunition.

Shoemaker is a convicted felon and has multiple prior convictions, including burglary, grand theft, possession of cocaine, and grand theft of a firearm.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and ATF.

Comments

3 Responses to “Convicted Cantonment Felon Sentenced On Federal Armed Drug Distribution Charges”

  1. Rodney on December 17th, 2025 4:19 pm

    At what point does a judge reflect on their career and feel grief for the poor decisions which should have kept so many in custody for much longer? The criminals also have rights….blah,blah, blah, blah…..rehabilitation….blah, blah,blah,blah….more gun laws….blah,blah,blah……change adjectives for crimes and criminals,,,,blah, blah, blah… Here’s a nice idea,increase punishment for crimes and quit making prison a revolving door and ignoring the law abiding citizens impacted by criminals and the hard work and dedication to arrest these mental midgets.

  2. Eric on December 17th, 2025 8:47 am

    The article says he has multiple convictions prior to this and he faced life in prison. Why give him only 5 years in club fed?

    We need to stop with these light sentences for career criminals and send them away for life.

  3. RW on December 17th, 2025 6:43 am

    HE NEEDS MORE TIME THAT JUDGE NEEDS TO GO





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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News